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When the team finished with Palmer, they sat her up. “Promise me you won’t cry?” Robbie asked.
“I’ll try,” she told her.
Robbie pulled the drape and helped Palmer stand. In the mirror, staring back, was the woman Palmer had always wanted to be.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Kent’s mouth dropped open when he and Palmer locked gazes. She smiled and twirled for him, even though all she’d done was her hair and makeup. She wiggled her fingers for him to see the soft-pink color she’d chosen for her nails. Robbie’s words replayed in her mind, about how Kent thought Palmer was beautiful with or without any makeup, but seeing him take her all in, while still dressed in her clothes from earlier, made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, and not just in his eyes.
“I can’t wait to see you in your dress,” he told her when she came closer to him.
“Should I go put it on now?”
“No, we have a limo picking us up to take us to the chapel. We’ll change there. Then I’ll get to see you for the first time when you walk down the aisle.”
“We do?” While she was surprised, she knew she shouldn’t have been. Kent was making this a very real wedding for her. She was concerned about walking down the aisle without help. But she didn’t want to say anything out of fear she would ruin the moment.
“Yeah,” he said without taking his eyes off hers. “Are you tired, or do you want to go do something fun?”
“I’m up for some fun, but I need coffee.” Kent nodded, and Palmer got into her chair and held on to their wedding attire. They waited in a small line for coffee, not far from the salon, and took their drinks upstairs. Palmer wanted to change out of her clothes and put something fresh on.
Palmer came out of the bathroom and walked quietly toward Kent. Dusk had settled over the desert city, and everything glowed in a plethora of neon lights. She had never seen something like this before. Kent stood there, facing the large window in their room, with his hands in his pockets. From the day he’d shown up at her apartment, with her list, he had changed her life. She would die happy and loved because of him.
“Okay, I’m ready.” Palmer had put on a sleeveless sundress. Her once-pale skin had been tanned by the sun, which she was thankful for. She wouldn’t be a ghost at her wedding later.
Kent took his position behind her chair and pushed her down the hall. “Did you win any money?” she asked.
“I didn’t end up playing,” he told her as they stepped into the elevator. “I walked around for a bit, came back to the room, took a shower, and then waited for you. How was your appointment?”
“It was very nice. Robbie was very attentive. Thank you for setting it up for me.”
“Of course. Every bride needs to be pampered on her wedding day.”
They exited into the casino, and Palmer instantly put her head down to avoid the lights. When they stopped walking, she looked up and saw the sign for the Eiffel Tower and looked over her shoulder. “I thought we were doing this later?”
“Slight change of plans” was all Kent said as he went through the double doors and onto the bridge that led to the Eiffel Tower. The tile walkway made for a bumpy ride, and Palmer thought about asking Kent to stop so she could walk but saw that they were almost at the end.
“Good evening,” a photographer said as Kent and Palmer approached them. Kent stopped and held his hand out for Palmer to take. She did, and he led her to the side. They were only a story or two off the ground, but the view was still amazing. “If you’ll turn, I’ll take your photo now.”
They turned, and Kent pulled Palmer into his side. They smiled for the camera. The photographer told them their photo would be ready at the stand when they came down from the viewing deck.
Palmer chose to walk and explained that the uneven pathway made her nauseous, which Kent said he understood. He apologized for not thinking ahead. They walked to the end of the walkway and waited for their elevator.
The doors opened, and they stepped in. Palmer went to the back and prepared herself for what she was about to see. Kent stood behind her, locking her in place with his arms. Palmer told herself he did this because he loved her, and for one day she was going to pretend she didn’t have a tumor taking over her brain.
They stepped off when they reached the observation deck and went right to the first opening. There wasn’t a crowd, which pleased both of them. The sunset cast an ominous glow over the city, and it made the surrounding mountains look like they were bathed in orange instead of brown.
